Plug-in parsers for configuring search engine crawler

ABSTRACT

A plug-in interface is provided in a crawling search engine. Plug-in parsers are also provided for use with the search engine. The plug-in interface allows the search engine to be configured with different plug-in parsers. Thus, a customer may configure a search engine with a parser that best suits the needs of the customer and to try new parsing algorithms to find the best results.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to data processing and, in particular, to crawling search engines. Still more particularly, the present invention provides a method, apparatus, and program for providing plug-in parsers for configuring a search engine crawler.

2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The worldwide network of computers commonly known as the “Internet” has seen explosive growth in the last several years. Mainly, this growth has been fueled by the introduction and widespread use of so-called “web browsers,” which enable simple graphical user interface-based access to network servers, which support documents formatted as so-called “web pages.” These web pages are versatile and customized by authors. For example, web pages may mix text and graphic images. A web page also may include fonts of varying sizes.

[0003] A browser is a program that is executed on a graphical user interface (GUI). The browser allows a user to seamlessly load documents from the Internet and display them by means of the GUI. These documents are commonly formatted using markup language protocols, such as hypertext markup language (HTML). Portions of text and images within a document are delimited by indicators, which affect the format for display. In HTML documents, the indicators are referred to as tags. The browser gives some means of viewing the contents of web pages (or nodes) and of navigating from one web page to another.

[0004] A search engine is software that searches for data based on search criteria. Search engines have been brought to the forefront since the World Wide Web has become more widely used. Search engines can differ dramatically in the way they find and index the material on the Web, and the way they search the indexes from a search query.

[0005] A crawler is a search engine that locates new documents and new sites by following hypertext links from server to server and indexing information based on search criteria. A crawler initially obtains a list of uniform resource locators (URL) for which page data is obtained. The page data is parsed for hypertext anchors in the page. A hypertext anchor is a type of code used to define a hypertext link to another page or to a location elsewhere in the page. A crawler may also associate surrounding text with the anchor to form a “window chunk.” These window chunks are analyzed and recursively crawled. Weights may be kept about the edges of this crawling and, as a result, a best list is found.

[0006] The parsing algorithm for finding window chunks is fixed within the search engine code. For example, the parsing algorithm may define a window chunk as the anchor, ten words before the anchor, and ten words after the anchor. Results of a crawling search engine may change drastically if the parsing algorithm is modified. However, the search engine code itself must be changed to modify the parsing algorithm.

[0007] Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide an improved search engine for which the parsing algorithm is more easily modifiable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides a plug-in interface to a crawling search engine. Plug-in parsers are also provided for use with the search engine. The plug-in interface allows the search engine to be configured with different plug-in parsers. Thus, a customer may configure a search engine with a parser that best suits the needs of the customer and to try new parsing algorithms to find the best results.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0010]FIG. 1 depicts a pictorial representation of a network of data processing systems in which the present invention may be implemented;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a data processing system that may be implemented as a server in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a data processing system in which the present invention may be implemented;

[0013]FIG. 4 is an example of page data in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0014]FIGS. 5A and 5B are example window chunks in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a crawling search engine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0016]FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a crawling search engine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] With reference now to the figures, FIG. 1 depicts a pictorial representation of a network of data processing systems in which the present invention may be implemented. Network data processing system 100 is a network of computers in which the present invention may be implemented. Network data processing system 100 contains a network 102, which is the medium used to provide communications links between various devices and computers connected together within network data processing system 100. Network 102 may include connections, such as wire, wireless communication links, or fiber optic cables.

[0018] In the depicted example, server 104 is connected to network 102 along with storage unit 106. In addition, clients 108, 110, and 112 are connected to network 102. These clients 108, 110, and 112 may be, for example, personal computers or network computers. In the depicted example, server 104 provides data, such as boot files, operating system images, and applications to clients 108-112. Clients 108, 110, and 112 are clients to server 104. Network data processing system 100 may include additional servers, clients, and other devices not shown.

[0019] In the depicted example, network data processing system 100 is the Internet with network 102 representing a worldwide collection of networks and gateways that use the TCP/IP suite of protocols to communicate with one another. At the heart of the Internet is a backbone of high-speed data communication lines between major nodes or host computers, consisting of thousands of commercial, government, educational and other computer systems that route data and messages. Of course, network data processing system 100 also may be implemented as a number of different types of networks, such as for example, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN). FIG. 1 is intended as an example, and not as an architectural limitation for the present invention.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a data processing system that may be implemented as a server, such as server 104 in FIG. 1, is depicted in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Data processing system 200 may be a symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) system including a plurality of processors 202 and 204 connected to system bus 206. Alternatively, a single processor system may be employed. Also connected to system bus 206 is memory controller/cache 208, which provides an interface to local memory 209. I/O bus bridge 210 is connected to system bus 206 and provides an interface to I/O bus 212. Memory controller/cache 208 and I/O bus bridge 210 may be integrated as depicted.

[0021] Peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus bridge 214 connected to I/O bus 212 provides an interface to PCI local bus 216. A number of modems may be connected to PCI local bus 216. Typical PCI bus implementations will support four PCI expansion slots or add-in connectors. Communications links to clients 108-112 in FIG. 1 may be provided through modem 218 and network adapter 220 connected to PCI local bus 216 through add-in boards.

[0022] Additional PCI bus bridges 222 and 224 provide interfaces for additional PCI local buses 226 and 228, from which additional modems or network adapters may be supported. In this manner, data processing system 200 allows connections to multiple network computers. A memory-mapped graphics adapter 230 and hard disk 232 may also be connected to I/O bus 212 as depicted, either directly or indirectly.

[0023] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardware depicted in FIG. 2 may vary. For example, other peripheral devices, such as optical disk drives and the like, also may be used in addition to or in place of the hardware depicted. The depicted example is not meant to imply architectural limitations with respect to the present invention.

[0024] The data processing system depicted in FIG. 2 may be, for example, an IBM e-Server pSeries system, a product of International Business Machines Corporation in Armonk, N.Y., running the Advanced Interactive Executive (AIX) operating system or LINUX operating system.

[0025] With reference now to FIG. 3, a block diagram illustrating a data processing system is depicted in which the present invention may be implemented. Data processing system 300 is an example of a client computer. Data processing system 300 employs a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) local bus architecture. Although the depicted example employs a PCI bus, other bus architectures such as Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) and Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) may be used. Processor 302 and main memory 304 are connected to PCI local bus 306 through PCI bridge 308. PCI bridge 308 also may include an integrated memory controller and cache memory for processor 302. Additional connections to PCI local bus 306 may be made through direct component interconnection or through add-in boards. In the depicted example, local area network (LAN) adapter 310, SCSI host bus adapter 312, and expansion bus interface 314 are connected to PCI local bus 306 by direct component connection. In contrast, audio adapter 316, graphics adapter 318, and audio/video adapter 319 are connected to PCI local bus 306 by add-in boards inserted into expansion slots. Expansion bus interface 314 provides a connection for a keyboard and mouse adapter 320, modem 322, and additional memory 324. Small computer system interface (SCSI) host bus adapter 312 provides a connection for hard disk drive 326, tape drive 328, and CD-ROM drive 330. Typical PCI local bus implementations will support three or four PCI expansion slots or add-in connectors.

[0026] An operating system runs on processor 302 and is used to coordinate and provide control of various components within data processing system 300 in FIG. 3. The operating system may be a commercially available operating system, such as Windows 2000, which is available from Microsoft Corporation. An object oriented programming system such as Java may run in conjunction with the operating system and provide calls to the operating system from Java programs or applications executing on data processing system 300. “Java” is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. Instructions for the operating system, the object-oriented operating system, and applications or programs are located on storage devices, such as hard disk drive 326, and may be loaded into main memory 304 for execution by processor 302.

[0027] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardware in FIG. 3 may vary depending on the implementation. Other internal hardware or peripheral devices, such as flash ROM (or equivalent nonvolatile memory) or optical disk drives and the like, may be used in addition to or in place of the hardware depicted in FIG. 3. Also, the processes of the present invention may be applied to a multiprocessor data processing system.

[0028] As another example, data processing system 300 may be a stand-alone system configured to be bootable without relying on some type of network communication interface, whether or not data processing system 300 comprises some type of network communication interface. As a further example, data processing system 300 may be a personal digital assistant (PDA) device, which is configured with ROM and/or flash ROM in order to provide non-volatile memory for storing operating system files and/or user-generated data.

[0029] The depicted example in FIG. 3 and above-described examples are not meant to imply architectural limitations. For example, data processing system 300 also may be a notebook computer or hand held computer in addition to taking the form of a PDA. Data processing system 300 also may be a kiosk or a Web appliance.

[0030] Returning to FIG. 1, server 104 may execute a crawling search engine. The search engine obtains a list of URLs and page data is obtained from the same server or other servers (not shown). A parser in the search engine parses the page data for hypertext anchors in the page. The crawling search engine also associates surrounding text with the anchor to form a “window chunk.” These window chunks are analyzed and recursively crawled. Weights may be kept about the edges of this crawling and, as a result, a best list is found.

[0031] An example of page data is shown in FIG. 4 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. This example page includes three anchors: “<A HREF=“page00010021.html”>benefits</A>”, “<A HREF=“page00010022.html”>subscriber recording system</A>”, and “<A HREF=“page00010023.html”>Gold Package</A>”. The parser associates surrounding text with the anchors to form window chunks.

[0032] Example window chunks are shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the example shown in FIG. 5A, each of window chunks 502, 504, 506 include an anchor, five words before the anchor, and five words after the anchor. Non-anchor HTML tags, such as text formatting tags, may be removed.

[0033]FIG. 5B illustrates another example of window chunks formed from the page shown in FIG. 4. In this example, window chunks 552, 554, 556 are formed by including an anchor, up to ten words before the anchor, and up to ten words after the anchor without crossing sentence boundaries. Sentence boundaries may be delineated by, for example, periods and/or paragraph tags.

[0034] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the crawling search engine includes a plug-in interface. Plug-in parsers are also provided for use with the search engine. The plug-in interface allows the search engine to be configured with different plug-in parsers. Thus, a customer may configure a search engine with a parser that best suits the needs of the customer and to try new parsing algorithms to find the best results.

[0035] With reference now to FIG. 6, a block diagram illustrating a crawling search engine is shown in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Search engine 610 obtains a list of URLs 620 and page data 630 is obtained from servers. The page data is parsed for hypertext anchors. The crawling search engine also associates surrounding text with the anchor to form a “window chunk.” These window chunks are analyzed and recursively crawled. Weights may be kept about the edges of this crawling and results list 640 is found.

[0036] Search engine 610 includes plug-in interface 612. Plug-in parsers 614, 616, 618 are also provided for use with the search engine. Thus, plug-in parser 614 may be loaded to obtain the best results for the needs of the customer. Also, a customer may try plug-in parser 616 and plug-in parser 618 to determine which has the best results for the particular application of the search engine.

[0037] The search engine may have a general weighting algorithm with which all parsers must comply. However, plug-in parsers may also include a weighting algorithm. Thus, plug-in parsers may be developed to implement a particular weighting algorithm for use with the specific parsing algorithm. Therefore, plug-in parsers may be used to define a window chunk, include a weighting algorithm, or both.

[0038] Turning now to FIG. 7, a flowchart illustrating the operation of a crawling search engine is depicted in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The process begins and loads a parser plug-in (step 702). Then, the process obtains a list of URLs (step 704), obtains page data (step 706), and parses the page data for window chunks (step 708) using the plug-in parser loaded in step 702.

[0039] Thereafter, the process analyzes the window chunks (step 710) and recursively crawls anchors in the window chunks (step 712). Next, the process determines weights for the edges of the crawling (step 714), compiles a final list of URLs (step 716) and ends.

[0040] Thus, the present invention solves the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a plug-in interface to a crawling search engine. The present invention also provides plug-in parsers for use with the search engine. The plug-in interface allows the search engine to be configured with different plug-in parsers. Therefore, a customer may configure a search engine with a parser that best suits the needs of the customer and to try new parsing algorithms to find the best results.

[0041] It is important to note that while the present invention has been described in the context of a fully functioning data processing system, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the processes of the present invention are capable of being distributed in the form of a computer readable medium of instructions and a variety of forms and that the present invention applies equally regardless of the particular type of signal bearing media actually used to carry out the distribution. Examples of computer readable media include recordable-type media such a floppy disc, a hard disk drive, a RAM, CD-ROMs, and transmission-type media such as digital and analog communications links.

[0042] The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for configuring a search engine, comprising: providing a plug-in interface for a crawling search engine; and providing at least one plug-in parser for the crawling search engine, wherein the at least one plug-in parser parses page data for window chunks and wherein the crawling search engine loads one of the at least one plug-in parser via the plug-in interface.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the crawling search engine recursively crawls anchors in the window chunks.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the crawling search engine determines edges of the recursive crawling and determines weights for page data of the edges.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the crawling search engine compile s a final results list based on the weights.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein each plug-in parser of the at least on e plug-in parser includes a weighting algorithm.
 6. A method for searching documents, comprising: loading a plug-in parser; obtaining a list of pages; obtaining page data for the pages; using the plug-in parser to parse the page data for a set of window chunks; and recursively crawling anchors in the set of window chunks.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of recursively crawling anchors comprises: determining edges of the recursive crawling; and determining weights for page data of the edges.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: compiling a results list based on the weights.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein the plug-in parser is a first plug-in parser, the list of pages is a first list of pages, the page data is first page data, and the set of window chunks is a first set of window chunks, the method further comprising: loading a second plug-in parser; obtaining a second list of pages; obtaining second page data for the second list of pages; using the second plug-in parser to parse the second page data for a second set of window chunks; and recursively crawling anchors in the second set of window chunks.
 10. An apparatus for searching documents, comprising: a crawling search engine, wherein the crawling search engine includes a plug-in interface; and at least one plug-in parser for the crawling search engine, wherein the at least one plug-in parser parses page data for window chunks and wherein the crawling search engine loads one of the at least one plug-in parser via the plug-in interface.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the crawling search engine recursively crawls anchors in the window chunks.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the crawling search engine determines edges of the recursive crawling and determines weights for page data of the edges.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the crawling search engine compiles a final results list based on the weights.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein each plug-in parser of the at least one plug-in parser includes a weighting algorithm.
 15. An apparatus for searching documents, comprising: loading means for loading a plug-in parser; list means for obtaining a list of pages; page means for obtaining page data for the pages; parsing means for using the plug-in parser to parse the page data for window chunks; and crawling means for recursively crawling anchors in the window chunks.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the crawling means comprises: means for determining edges of the recursive crawling; and means for determining weights for page data of the edges.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising: means for compiling a final results list based on the weights.
 18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the plug-in parser is a first plug-in parser, the list of pages is a first list of pages, the page data is first page data, and the set of window chunks is a first set of window chunks, the apparatus further comprising: means for loading a second plug-in parser; means for obtaining a second list of pages; means for obtaining second page data for the second list of pages; means for using the second plug-in parser to parse the second page data for a second set of window chunks; and means for recursively crawling anchors in the second set of window chunks.
 19. A computer program product, in a computer readable medium, for configuring a search engine, comprising: instructions for providing a plug-in interface for a crawling search engine; and instructions for providing at least one plug-in parser for the crawling search engine, wherein the at least one plug-in parser parses page data for window chunks and wherein the crawling search engine loads one of the at least one plug-in parser via the plug-in interface.
 20. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the crawling search engine includes instructions for recursively crawling anchors in the window chunks.
 21. A computer program product, in a computer readable medium, for searching documents, comprising: instructions for loading a plug-in parser; instructions for obtaining a list of pages; instructions for obtaining page data for the pages; instructions for using the plug-in parser to parse the page data for window chunks; and instructions for recursively crawling anchors in the window chunks. 